Congress leader writes to CM to resolve tobacco farmers’ woes

Congress leader M. Lakshmana has written to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, urging him to resolve the woes of Mysuru’s tobacco farmers, who had complained about poor prices.

Mr. Lakshmana, who had unsuccessfully contested the last elections from Mysuru Lok Sabha constituency, said he visited the tobacco auction platform in Periyapatna on Monday (November 10) after learning about a protest by the farmers.

In the letter to the Chief Minister, Mr. Lakshmana said the tobacco cultivated in Mysuru region was of superior export quality. But the tobacco was fetching farmers only ₹260 to ₹300 per kg while lower-grade tobacco cultivated in the neighbouring state was fetching ₹450 to ₹460 per kg.

He asked the Chief Minister to intervene in the matter and help farmers get better prices for their produce.